EP0057032A2 - Method and means for assisting aerial or maritime navigation - Google Patents

Abstract

The navigation board accommodates a map on which conventional geographic symbols include those of VOR or NDB radionavigation stations and aerodromes. The X and Y co-ordinates of each station and its transmitter frequency are marked against its symbol. The X and Y axes are graduated scales along the lower edges of the board and on a cursor travelling horizontally across it. A keyboard enters renewable data into a random-access memory for treatment by a microprocessor and decoder driving seven-segment digital and LED displays. The navigation program is stored in a read-only memory, and position or course data are calculated from readings of the station co-ordinates and measured bearings. Algorithms are provided for the calculation of the position coordinates.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for air or maritime navigation, making it possible to prepare and deliver information for aid to navigation, such as in particular the position of an aircraft or a ship, the heading angle. to be followed to reach a place of destination, distance separating the aircraft or the ship from the place of destination. It relates to a method and a device, using bearings carried out in relation to tracking stations by means of appropriate navigation instruments, for example in the aeronautical field, magnetic bearing in relation to a radio station ("VOR" station; station "NDB"), in the maritime domain, bearings operated by direction-finding, ...

In the aeronautical field, there are currently essentially three kinds of radio navigation equipment allowing a pilot to define his position with respect to radio stations located on the ground.

The "VOR" ("VHF Omni Range") or "NDB-ADF" ("Non Directional Beacon-Automatic Direction Finder") systems provide either a magnetic bearing with respect to the "VOR" station or a bearing from the "NDB station "relative to the axis of the aircraft. Two measurements made on two stations make it possible to determine the position on a map by making geometric traces requiring the use of a protractor, a ruler and a map support board.

The "DME (" Distance Measuring Equipment ") system provides the oblique distance separating the aircraft - (at altitude) from the" DME "station on the ground. Combined with a" VOR "it allows positioning under the same conditions than before.

The "CLC-RNAV"("Area Navigation Calculator") is a calculator associated with the on-board "VOR" and "DME"devices; this system makes it possible to place a fictitious "VOR-DME" at any point located within "VHF" (therefore optical) radio range of a real "VOR-DME" whose presence is essential. Again, it is necessary to make geometric lines and use protractor, ruler and planchette-support to mark the fictitious beacon and determine the position of the aircraft.

When used outside of regular flights on lines with fixed routes, these systems all have the major drawback of requiring, in order to exploit the data they provide, long, delicate operations which are impractical to execute in a cabin more or less cramped, and which require the pilot a concentration that the latter can no longer reserve for piloting; this drawback is well known to amateur pilots and leads many of them to fear flying alone on routes they do not know. In the event of turbulent flight, the loosening of piloting attention can affect the safety of the aircraft, which is strong / however that, in areas with _/ density of traffic, the risks of collision are significantly higher.

In addition, the obligation to transpose by geometric traces, instrumental readings on a map, and the difficult conditions in which this transposition takes place have the necessary consequence of a fairly great imprecision of the results obtained; thus, in practice, a pilot can only assess his position in a square of 10 km or more. It follows that the flight to a destination is not by the shortest route and that the pilot must take significant safety margins near the reserved or prohibited areas to be sure not to 'fly over: fuel consumption is notably increased.

In addition, the imprecision with which the position of the aircraft is known can become a determining factor in increasing the risk in the event of any breakdown or annoyance, the pilot having to use approximations to reach the nearest aerodrome.

In addition, it should be noted that the "DME" and "CLC-RNAV" systems have specific drawbacks consisting essentially in the risks of saturation of stations of this type (in the event of multiple interrogations in too high a number), in the small number of existing stations which leave large areas not covered, in the fact that the distances indicated are oblique distances, and in the very high cost of the necessary on-board equipment which undergoes adjustments requiring periodic checks.

In addition, for the "CLC-RNAV" system, a very serious drawback lies in the fact that it is necessary to insert the geographic coordinate system (7 characters iu at least for each coordinate, or 28 characters to be inserted Day the two tags, real and fictitious); the result is frequent and dangerous errors, which have led most countries to ban the "CLC-RNAV" system in instrument flight.

No satisfactory solution has so far been proposed to eliminate the various drawbacks mentioned above. It should be noted that an attempt to resolve the problem took place, without success, in Great Britain ("G-NAV" system); it consisted in providing for a system of special radionavigation maps making it possible to cover a given territory; each map represents an area of this territory with a special projection thanks to which two radio-navigation stations in the area are reported endlessly. The definition of the position on the map, after the measurements made on these two stations, is done by simplified plots. However, the development of such a system has been doomed to failure for several reasons. The most serious is that the special projection of the maps introduces enormous distortions compared to the usual projections (Mercator, Lambert, conical projection ...) so that it only provides the pilot with an abstract representation of the territory, very difficult to use and no longer allowing it to quickly check the validity of the measured data. For example, straight lines become hyperbolic arcs, an element located in the South can be located higher than an element located more in the North, the angles and the distances are totally deformed etc ... In particular, in in the event of failure of the radionavigation instruments, the maps in question are totally unusable and the transfer onto conventional maps of the tracks already made are difficult to execute. Another drawback of this system lies in the fact that, for each area covered by a map, the system is entirely based on two predetermined radio navigation stations: in the event of the failure of one of them, the system becomes inoperative.

The present invention proposes to indicate a satisfactory solution allowing a pilot to know his position in a practical, fast and precise manner, by means of an inexpensive device and of simple use.

Another objective is to allow the pilot to determine, under the same conditions, the course to follow in order to reach a destination.

Another object of the invention is also to provide the pilot, under the same conditions of precision, the distance which separates him from a place of destination, without having to use in the aeronautical field the "DME" stations, so as to be totally exempt from the specific faults of this system (and in particular the risks of saturation).

Another objective is to also provide the pilot with other navigation aid information, such as for example the direction and speed of the real wind.

Another objective is to indicate a method and a device making it possible to develop and deliver this information, by means of the charts usually used in the field concerned, current aeronautical charts for air navigation or maritime charts for maritime navigation.

Another objective is to indicate a method and a device using the bearings operated by means of appropriate instruments with respect to any tracking stations, for example any radio navigation station located in the area covered by the map. used (or if applicable located near this area).

• . à étalonner un plateau, dit plateau de navigation de façon à repérer chaque point du plateau par des coordonnées conventionnelles dans un système de référence lié audit plateau,
• . à positionner sur ledit plateau une carte géographique correspondant à la région de navigation concernée, ladit'e carte portant l'indication des stations de repérage existant sur l'aire qu'elle couvre,
• . à choisir sur la carte deux stations de repérage et à lire les coordonnées conventionnelles (X , Y₁ ; ^X ₂, Y₂) de ces deux stations de repérage,
• . à générer des signaux électriques représentatifs de ces coordonnées (X₁, Y₁ ; X₂, Y₂) et à mémoriser lesdits signaux,
• . à mesurer les relèvements (R₁, R₂) de ces deux stations de repérage au moyen d' instruments de navigation appropriés,
• . à générer des signaux électriques représentatifs de ces relèvements (R₁, R₂) et à mémoriser ces signaux,
• . à générer à partir des signaux électriques représentatifs des coordonnées conventionnelles (X₁, Y₁ ; X₂, Y₂) des deux stations de repérage et des relèvements mesurés (R₁, R₂), des signaux électriques représentatifs des coordonnées conventionnelles (X, Y) de la position de l'aéronef ou du navire dans le système de référence lié au plateau de navigation,
• . à afficher lesdites coordonnées conventionnelles (X, Y) et à repérer sur la carte fixée sur le plateau de navigation la position de l'aéronef ou du navire au moyen desdites coordonnées conventionnelles et du système de référence lié au plateau.

To this end, the process targeted by the present invention consists, in order to develop and generate information relating to the position of an aircraft or a ship:

• . to calibrate a platform, called the navigation platform so as to identify each point on the platform by conventional coordinates in a reference system linked to said platform,
• . to position a geographic map on said tray corresponding to the navigation region concerned, said map bearing the indication of the tracking stations existing on the area it covers,
• . choose two tracking stations on the map and read the conventional coordinates (X, Y ₁ ; ^X ₂ , Y ₂ ) of these two tracking stations,
• . generating electrical signals representative of these coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ; X ₂ , Y ₂ ) and storing said signals,
• . to measure the bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ) of these two tracking stations by means of appropriate navigation instruments,
• . generate electrical signals representative of these bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ) and store these signals,
• . generating from the electrical signals representative of the conventional coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ; X ₂ , Y ₂ ) of the two tracking stations and the measured bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ), the electrical signals representative of the conventional coordinates (X , Y) of the position of the aircraft or of the vessel in the reference system linked to the navigation platform,
• . displaying said conventional coordinates (X, Y) and locating the position of the aircraft or ship on the map fixed on the navigation platform by means of said conventional coordinates and the reference system linked to the platform.

• . à lire sur le plateau les coordonnées conventionnelles (x,y) du lieu de destination,
• . à générer des signaux électriques représentatifs de ces coordonnées (x, y) et à mémoriser lesdits signaux,
• . à générer à partir des signaux représentatifs des coordonnées conventionnelles des deux stations de repérage (X₁, Y₁ ; ; X₂, Y₂), du lieu de destination (x, y) et des relèvements mesurés (R₁, R₂), un signal électrique représentatif de l'angle de cap à suivre (Rm),
• . à afficher ledit angle de cap.

In addition, according to another characteristic of the invention making it possible to develop and deliver information relating to the course to be followed (Rm) to reach a given place of destination, the method also consists of:

• . to read the conventional coordinates (x, y) of the destination on the board,
• . generating electrical signals representative of these coordinates (x, y) and storing said signals,
• . to generate from the signals representative of the conventional coordinates of the two tracking stations (X ₁ , Y ₁ ;; X ₂ , Y ₂ ), the place of destination (x, y) and the measured bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ) , an electrical signal representative of the heading angle to be followed (Rm),
• . to display said heading angle.

The signal representative of the heading angle (Rm) can be generated directly using the data (X ₁ , Y ₁ ; X ₂ , Y ₂ , x, y; R ₁ , R ₂ ). It can also be generated indirectly from this data, using the result of the position calculations (X, Y) and some of the above data (x, y); this latter generation mode will be preferred in practice since the logical operations to be carried out on the corresponding signals are notably simplified in this case.

According to another characteristic of the invention, an electrical signal representative of the distance (D) separating the aircraft or the aircraft is also generated from the above-mentioned signals (used directly or preferably, in the form of results already obtained). ship from the place of destination and this distance is displayed.

• . on choisit sur la droite de relèvement calculé (Rm) unedestination intermédiaire (x_i, y₁) correspondant à un temps de parcours connu (t) à partir de la position de l'aéronef (X, Y),
• . on effectue à nouveau des mesures au bout de ce temps (t) de façon à générer des signaux électriques représentatifs de la nouvelle position de l'aéronef (X', Y'), du nouveau relèvement (R¹m) de la destination intermédiaire-(x_i, y_i) et de la distance (D') de cette destination par rapport à la nouvelle position,
• . on génère un signal représentatif du temps (t) et on effectue des opérations logiques sur les signaux précités afin de générer des signaux représentatifs de la direction du vent (r = R'm ∓ 180°) et de la vitesse du vent (v = D' t . k, k étant un coefficient dépendant des unités).
• on affiche cette direction (r) et cette vitesse (v).

Furthermore, according to one. another characteristic, the method according to the invention also aims to develop and deliver for air navigation information relating to the direction (r) and the speed (v) of the real wind; in accordance with the invention, after determining the position (X, Y) of the aircraft and the heading (Rm):

• . an intermediate destination (x _i , y ₁ ) corresponding to a known journey time (t) from the position of the aircraft (X, Y) is chosen on the calculated bearing line (Rm)
• . measurements are taken again at the end of this time (t) so as to generate electrical signals representative of the new position of the aircraft (X ', Y'), of the new bearing (R ¹ m) of the intermediate destination - (x _i , y _i ) and the distance (D ') of this destination with respect to the new position,
• . a signal representative of time (t) is generated and logical operations are carried out on the aforementioned signals in order to generate signals representative of the wind direction (r = R'm ∓ 180 °) and of the wind speed (v = From t. K, k being a coefficient depending on the units).
• this direction (r) and this speed (v) are displayed.

The method of the invention uses car your classics, whose scale is indifferent. Indeed, it consists of superimposing on the map a conventional coordinate system from which are operated both the reading of the coordinates of a station and the location of a position; it suffices, for a given measurement, that the card remains the same and remains in an unchanged position relative to the plate, the type of card and its scale can be arbitrary.

The pilot can in particular use conventional maps which he himself will have previously cut out to facilitate their positioning on the navigation platform; to avoid this cutting operation, a set of pre-cut cards in the shape of the board and covering a determined territory will preferably be provided, these cards being of the type usually used (projection and scale) so that the pilot can easily follow its course as it progresses. Of course on each card, the tracking stations with their characteristics are shown. Note that, if necessary, each card can be edited with reference lines corresponding to the reference system linked to the plate so as to further facilitate readings or markings, once the card is positioned on the plate.

The location on the map is determined without any geometric tracing by simple readings and markings: reading of the conventional coordinates of the two chosen marker stations (either by reading an abscissa and an ordinate using the system plateau reference or by direct reading of numbers written on the card _`cδté station for part making cards from a specially edited), marking the location on the map using the tray reference system from the conventional coordinates calculated. Such a determination eliminates all sources of errors or inaccuracies of conventional systems and allows a very precise location of the aircraft or vessel which is limited only by the precision of the radionavigation instruments which make it possible to carry out the surveys. . The other navigation aid information provided (course, distance, etc.) is provided under the same conditions of precision.

for / In addition, the pilot can use / each measurement, indifferently any station and the failure of one or more of them does not neutralize the system. In the case of successive measurements using the same stations, the method is further simplified since it is no longer necessary to read the coordinates thereof.

In the aeronautical field, the stations used will preferably be "VOR" or "NDB" radio-navigation stations which are widely used and do not present any risk of saturation.

In addition, it is essential to note that all the operations of the method are carried out using conventional coordinates which are characteristic of the system according to the invention and defined by the reference system linked to the plate. This reference system, preferably consisting of two graduated perpendicular axes _/ can be chosen so that each point on the plate is represented by two conventional coordinates of three or four digits each depending on the plate size; four digits per coordinate is a maximum which will not be exceeded in practice and which provides very largely sufficient accuracy of representation. This eliminates the sources of error and complication of conventional systems that use geographic coordinates. In fact, the number of digits to be read and dialed on a keyboard is limited in the case of the invention and the user constantly has in front of him (at the level of the platform) the reference system in relation to which he is working.

• . un plateau dit plateau de navigation, pourvu de moyens de positionnement d'une carte géographique,
• . un système d'étalonnage dudit plateau permettant de repérer chacun de ses points par des coordonnées conventionnelles dans un système de référence lié audit plateau,
• • un système d'entrée de données adapté pour permettre de générer des signaux électriques représentatifs de coordonnées conventionnelles ou relèvements,
• . des moyens de calcul, agencés pour recevoir lesdits signaux électriques et adaptés pour délivrer par des opérations de calcul logique, des signaux électriques représentatifs des coordonnées conventionnelles d'une position (X, Y) et/ou d'un angle de cap (Rm) et/ou d'une distance (D), la
• • et des moyens d'affichage pour/visualisa- tion des résultats issus des moyens de calcul.

The invention extends to a navigation aid device adapted to allow the implementation of the above method; this device essentially comprises:

• . a so-called navigation tray, provided with means for positioning a geographic map,
• . a system for calibrating said plate making it possible to locate each of its points by conventional coordinates in a reference system linked to said plate,
• • a data entry system suitable for generating electrical signals representing tifs of conventional coordinates or bearings,
• . calculation means, arranged to receive said electrical signals and adapted to deliver, by logic calculation operations, electrical signals representative of the conventional coordinates of a position (X, Y) and / or of a heading angle (Rm) and / or from a distance (D), the
• • and display means for / viewing the results from the calculation means.

According to a preferred embodiment, the data entry system comprises a keyboard arranged at the edge of the navigation tray and provided with a plurality of keys, which are marked, on the one hand, with identification signs of nature data to be entered (station 1: XYR ₁ , station 2: X ₂ , Y ₂ , R ₂₁ destination: xy), on the other hand, numerical indications for the composition of the various digits of each data.

The function keys corresponding to the nature of the data and the numeric keys can be separate keys placed at different locations on the keyboard or else common keys fulfilling the two roles.

The display means are preferably composed of several segment displays and means of indicating the type of information displayed (X, Y, Rm, D ...).

According to a preferred embodiment, the segment displays are few in number, of the order of 5 to 6, and have a function of universal display of information of all kinds; the means for indicating the type of information displayed are then constituted by light means such as several light-emitting diodes, which make it possible to display the type of information displayed.

It is also possible to provide several series of segmented displays, each series corresponding to a given type of information with writing on the margin of the series of the type of information concerned.

Furthermore, the computing means of the device advantageously comprise a microcomputer provided with a computing unit, a read only memory for storing a calculation program, a random access memory for storing renewable data, and interfaces. interposed between the unit of calculation and the memories or the display means.

The device of the invention may include its own electrical supply means and be entirely autonomous and independent of the aircraft (or of the ship). It can also be connected by an appropriate connection to the aircraft batteries. The price of such a device is very moderate and is, for example, more than 30 times lower than "CLC-RNAV" equipment, although it does not have the disadvantages and provides more services than this.

• . la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention,
• . la figure 2 en est une coupe par un plan transversal A,
• . la figure 3 en est une coupe de détail par un plan B perpendiculaire au précédent,
• . la figure 4 est un schéma synoptique présentant les moyens de calcul du dispositif,
• . la figure 5 est une vue en perspective schématique de cartes susceptibles d'équiper le dispositif,
• . la figure 6 est une vue schématique en plan du dispositif muni d'une carte, en:vue d'illustrer la mise en oeuvre du procédé conforme à l'invention.

The invention which has been set out above in its general form will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the appended drawings, which present an example of application in the aeronautical field; on these drawings:

• . FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention,
• . FIG. 2 is a section thereof through a transverse plane A,
• . FIG. 3 is a detailed section through a plane B perpendicular to the previous one,
• . FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the means of calculating the device,
• . FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of cards capable of equipping the device,
• . Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the device with a card, in: to illustrate the implementation of the method according to the invention.

The navigation aid device shown by way of example in the figures consists of a casing 1 of small thickness and of generally rectangular shape, delimiting a flat rectangular or square plate 2, called the navigation plate, which extends over most of the housing surface.

This navigation tray 2 is situated slightly set back with respect to a peripheral border 3 slightly projecting in order to delimit a housing in which a card is capable of being positioned, the edges of the latter coming into contact with the border 3 of so as to give it a precise, invariable position with respect to the stage 2. In the example, the peripheral border 3 is interrupted by two notches 3a, 3b for the passage of card identification tabs.

On one side (4) of the plate 2, the box 1 forms a support for a data entry system and for display means, which will be described later; in addition, it makes it possible to house calculation means that the device comprises as well as means for supplying power to the various electronic assemblies.

The navigation plate 2 is provided with a calibration system, consisting of a system of two axes (X, Y) perpendicular to each other, each axis being parallel to an edge of the plate and graduated from an origin.

One of the axes (X) is carried by an edge 5 of the plate and is graduated from an origin located near the left end of this edge.

The other axis (Y) is carried by a movable cursor 6 which extends perpendicular to the edge 5 over the entire height of the plate; this cursor is graduated from an origin located at its lower part, in the vicinity of edge 5.

The graduations of the X and Y axes are conventional and can be any; however, it is preferable to use graduations having the same scale

on the two axes and which represent the most commonly used distance units in the field concerned, on the scale of the most commonly used maps. In particular, the nautical mile (NM) is generally the unit of distance used in aeronautics and the scale of the most common maps is equal to 1 / 1,000,000th; under these conditions, the length of each graduation is preferably equal to 1.852 mm. This choice provides a practical advantage for the user since it allows him to have at all times under the eyes of a distance scale corresponding to the most commonly used maps.

In addition, for a plate 2 having dimensions of the order of 25 to 30 cm by 15 to 20 cm, each coordinate is represented with excellent precision using four digits at most (example X = 120.3) . Such a tray dimension constitutes an excellent compromise which, at the same time, ensures great ease of use and handling of the device (coming from a relatively small footprint) and allows each card to cover a satisfactory area of ^p territory (approximately 150 NM out of 100 NM) avoiding too frequent card changes.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the cursor 6 is associated with means for guiding in translation, adapted to allow it to be moved parallel to the edge 5 over the entire length thereof; in the example, these means consist of a slide 7 provided along the edge 5, with which the foot 6a of the cursor cooperates, forming a slide. Small elastic blades 8 allow movement of the cursor 6 without risk of jamming, while preserving the perpendicularity thereof relative to the edge 5.

Furthermore, the device includes an electronic assembly, the block diagram of which is provided in the figure. This is essentially constituted by a data entry system 9, a calculation unit 10 constituted in the example by a microprocessor, a read-only memory 11 ("ROM") for storing a calculation program, a random access memory 12 ("RAM") for storing the renewable data coming from the input system 9, the display means 13 and 14 of the results and the interfaces 15 and 16 interposed between the calculation unit 10 and the memories 11 and 12 or the display means 13 and 14; conventionally, these interfaces are in the example constituted by multiplexers and decoders.

The data entry system 9 is adapted to make it possible to generate electrical signals representative of the data which are composed on a keyboard which this system includes. This keyboard is provided with a plurality of keys carried by the edge of the housing.

In the example, it includes number keys and common function keys. The numeric keys make it possible to compose the digits of a data item (a beak, ordered, bearing) by assigning them, where appropriate, a sign (the usefulness of which will be seen below); some of these keys also act as function keys and allow you to assign a code characteristic of the nature of the data. These function keys are the essential example Eight in number: conventional abscissa x and conventional ordinate y of the place of destination to be reached, abscissa X ₁ , ordinate Y ₁ of the first station, bearing R ₁ measured with respect to this first station, abscissa X ₂ , ordinate Y ₂ and raising R ₂ of the second station. As shown in Figure 1, these function keys are marked with appropriate identification signs.

In addition, the keyboard comprises, in a conventional manner, various keys, such as a key for controlling a calculation, erase key, key for storing in memory (or storage), as well as a power supply switch, and a NAVIGATION / PERFORMANCE selector which allows either to activate the navigation program or to have the calculation means in a state to perform other calculations from specific data or certain results of the navigation calculations (calculation of the airplane speed, ground speed, real time required to reach a destination, drift etc ...). We will not give more details on the corresponding calculation programs, conventional in themselves.

Furthermore, the display means carried by the edge 4 of the housing include, in the example, five displays 13 with seven oaths, in order to display the different figures of a result-information and a set 14 of several light-emitting diodes each corresponding to the nature of a result-information.

In the margin of each diode (which lights up when the result on the displays 13 corresponds to this) is marked with an indication of the type of information concerned, in the example: Shim. (data insertion), X (calculated conventional abscissa of the position), Y (position ordinate), Rm (heading from the place of destination), D (distance from the place of destination, v (wind speed), r ( wind direction) and various aforementioned additional information that can be calculated by the calculation means (V _p : airplane speed, V _S : ground speed, T _r : real time to reach a destination, d: drift).

The navigation program which is stored in the ROM 11 is adapted to manage the execution of the various navigation calculations to be performed, essentially: calculation of conventional coordinates X and Y from the coordinates and bearings of the two stations X ₁ , Y ₁ , R ₁ , X ₂₉ Y ₂ , R _? , calculation of the heading Rm from the calculated coordinates X, Y and the coordinates x and y of the place of destination, finally calculation of the distance D from the calculated coordinates X, Y and the coordinates x and y.

These calculations can be made by applying the following formulas, from which is. established the navigation program:

For the calculation of the distance D, the coefficient K is a coefficient taking into account the scale of the cards used, the calibration of the plate 2 and the unit in which the pilot wishes that the distance be expressed.

In the example mentioned above (scale: 1 / 1,000,000, calibration on the same scale: 1 mm per km, unit of distance: nautical miles), this coefficient is equal to 1.0799.

The device of the invention is preferably equipped with a set of specially edited plastic cards, which cover a given territory divided into regions each corresponding to a card. For example, French territory can be represented by around 20 to 25 maps per 1 / 1,000,000th, printed on both sides on plasticized paper supports (representing a set of 10 to 15 supports which can be stored under the tray 2 to inside the housing).

Each card such as card 17 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5, includes an identification tab 17a bearing indications, double-sided, to facilitate the choice of the map that corresponds to the navigation region. The dimensions of the maps correspond to those of the navigation board 2.

They carry all the traditional geographical indications, with the radionavigation stations "VOR" or "NDB" of the region and the aerodromes. For each station, the card carries the indication of the frequency of emission of this one and preferably, the indication written in figures of its conventional coordinates which allows a direct reading without using the cursor 6. Similarly, the Conventional coordinates of each aerodrome (or main aerodromes in the region) can also be written on the map for the same purpose.

In addition, the map can be provided with a peripheral margin such as 17b, in which the radionavigation stations "VOR" or "NDB" near the region covered by the map are noted, with their frequency and their conventional coordinates. We can thus take bearings ^. compared to stations outside the map, which can, in some cases, avoid map changes; the abscissa or the ordinate of such stations can be negative and the data is assigned the corresponding sign by means of the appropriate key on the keyboard.

In addition, the deck of cards can be supplemented by cards such as 18 to and from the aerodromes. For each aerodrome, the arrival card is printed on the front and the approach card on the back of the same support. The scale of one can be 1 / 50,000 and that of the other 1 / 10,000. Each of these charts carries the conventional coordinates of the aerodrome and the recommended trajectory of arrival or approach to the aerodrome (with the various flight characteristics recommended). Of course, these cards also bear the indication of two stations "VOR" or "NDB", within radio range of the aerodrome, with their characteristics.

There is shown in Figure 6 a schematic plan view of the device, to illustrate the method according to the invention.

This consists of selecting the card 17 corresponding to the region overflown and positioning it on the plate 2 in the housing delimited by the projecting edges of said plate.

Two stations "VOR" and / or "NDB" are then chosen on the map and their conventional coordinates are read on it. In the case where these coordinates are noted on the card, a simple direct reading is enough. It should be noted that these coordinates are, not geographic coordinates but conventional coordinates with 4 digits at most, taken from the axis system linked to the plate (edge axis 5 and cursor axis 6).

In the event that these coordinates are not indicated on the map (classic map cut out by the pilot), reading these simply involves sliding the cursor 6 parallel to the edge 5 in order to cause it to pass through the station (or more generally by the point concerned) and to read one of the coordinates on the cursor at the level of the point concerned (ordered) and the other on edge 5 at the foot of the heart.

The coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) (X ₂ , Y ₂ ) of the two stations are inserted into the storage memory 12, by dialing them on the keyboard 9 which translates them in the form of coded electrical signals.

The pilot then conventionally measures the bearings (R, R ₂ ) of the two stations "VOR" or "NDB" by means of the radio-navigation instruments "VOR" or "ADF" of the airplane and inserts these bearings in the memory 12.

It then suffices to trigger the calculation in order to obtain the conventional X, Y coordinates of the position of the aircraft. The logic operations are executed on the electrical signals representative of the data in accordance with the formula indicated above and provide signals representative of the coordinates X, Y which are successively displayed on the displays 13 with illumination of the corresponding diodes.

The pilot then locates on the map the position of the aircraft by means of the coordinates read on the displays. He just has to slide the cursor 6 to view to bring his foot on the graduation corresponding to the abscissa read X and to locate the point corresponding to the position, along the cursor opposite the graduation corresponding to the ordinate read Y.

We can see the extremely simple and practical nature of the operations that are required of the pilot, _{o operations} that require no geometrical layout.

To obtain the course to follow Rm to reach a place of destination, the operations take place in a similar way: reading of the x, y coordinates of this place by means of the cursor 6, entry of these data on the keyboard 9, triggering of the calculation according the formula already indicated using the coordinates of the position X, Y stored in memory at the end of the previous calculation, reading of the bearing Rm on the displays 13 with identification / by illumination of the corresponding diode. / the nature of the information read /

To obtain the distance D separating the plane from the place of destination, no new data is to be inserted; the corresponding calculation is carried out according to the formula already indicated from the position (X, Y) and the place of destination (X, y), the coefficient K being previously stored.

When the pilot wants to redo a point without having changed the navigation region, he just has to insert the new bearings measured with respect to the same stations, which again gives him precise information on his position, the course to follow and the distance from the place of destination.

In addition, it is easy, by means of the device of the invention, to determine the direction r and the speed v of the real wind acting on the airplane, by knowing the speed of the latter.

After having made a first measurement of position (X, Y) and bearing (Rm), the pilot chooses on the straight line of calculated bearing Rm, an intermediate destination (x, y _i ) corresponding to a known journey time t from from the initial position (X, Y) (for example 5 minutes).

At the end of this time, it determines the new course R'm to follow in order to reach this intermediate destination (x _i , y) and the distance D 'which separates it from the latter.

.k) Un programme correspondant à ces calculs est stocké dans la mémoire 11 afin d'assurer un affichage direct de ces informations sur les afficheurs 13,(k étant un coefficient dépendant des unités).The direction r of the wind is deduced from the new heading R'm (r = R'm ∓ 180 °) and the wind speed is deduced from the distance D 'and the time t (v =

.k) A program corresponding to these calculations is stored in the memory 11 in order to ensure a direct display of this information on the displays 13, (k being a coefficient depending on the units).

We can understand the advantage of the invention which makes it possible to provide the pilot with the essential navigation aid information he needs, by means of an inexpensive device, and at the end of rapid and simple execution operations. , perfectly compatible with the careful practice of piloting.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the terms of the foregoing description but includes all of its variants.

Claims (27)

K 11 - Method for air or maritime navigation, making it possible to prepare and deliver navigation aid information relating in particular to the position of an aircraft or a ship, from bearings carried out with respect to tracking stations by means of appropriate navigation instruments, in particular bearings of radio-navigation stations operated by means of radio-navigation instruments, characterized in that it consists: To calibrate a platform, called the navigation platform (2), so as to identify each point on the platform by conventional coordinates in a reference system linked to said platform, . positioning a geographic map on said platform corresponding to the navigation region concerned, said map indicating the tracking stations existing on the area it covers, . choose two tracking stations from the map and read the conventional coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ; X ₂ , Y ₂ ) of these two tracking stations, . generating electrical signals representative of these coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ; X ₂₁ Y ₂ ) and storing said signals, . and measure the bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ) of these two tracking stations using the appropriate navigation instruments, . generate electrical signals representative of these bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ) and store these signals, . generating from the electrical signals representative of the conventional coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ; X ₂ , Y) of the two tracking stations and the measured bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ), the electrical signals representative of the conventional coordinates (X, Y) the position of the aircraft or vessel in the reference system linked to the navigation platform, . to display said conventional coordinates (X, Y) and to locate on the map fixed on the navigation tray the position of the aircraft or of the ship at by means of said conventional coordinates and of the reference system linked to the plate. (21 - Method according to claim 1, making it possible to develop and deliver information relating to the course to follow (Rm) to reach a given place of destination, characterized in that it consists: . to read the conventional coordinates (x, y) of the destination on the board, . generating electrical signals representative of these coordinates (x, y) and storing said signals, • generate from signals representative of the conventional coordinates of the two tracking stations (X ₁ , Y ₁ ;; X ₂₉ Y ₂ ), the place of destination (x, y) and - measured bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ), an electrical signal representative of the heading angle to follow (Rm), . to display said heading angle. 3 / - Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, making it possible to develop and deliver information (D) /, relating to the distance _/ separating an aircraft or a ship from a given place of destination, characterized in that that it consists: . to read the conventional coordinates (x, y) of the destination on the board, . generating electrical signals representative of these coordinates (x, y) and storing said signals, . to generate from the signals representative of the conventional coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ; X ₂ , 1 ₂ ) of the two tracking stations, the place of destination (x, y) and the measured bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ), an electrical signal representative of the distance (D) separating the aircraft or the ship from the place of destination, . to display said distance. 4 / - Method according to claims 1, 2 and 3 taken together making it possible to develop and deliver for air navigation information relating to the direction (r) and to the speed (v) or real wind, characterized in that that it consists: . to choose on the bearing right calculated (Rm) an intermediate destination (x ₁ , y ₁ ) corresponding to a known journey time (t) from the position of the aircraft (X, Y), • to carry out measurements again at the end of this time (t) so as to generate electrical signals representative of the new position of the aircraft (X ', Y'), of the new bearing (R'm) of the destination intermediate (x ₁ , y ₁ ) and the distance (D ') of this destination from the new position, generating a signal representative of time (t) and performing logic operations on the aforementioned signals in order to generate signals representative of the wind direction (r = R'm + 180 °) and the wind speed (v =

.k, k being a unit-dependent coefficient). to display this direction (r) and this speed (v). 5 / - Method according to one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that one calibrates the navigation platform (2), of substantially rectangular shape, on two axes perpendicular to each other, each axis being parallel at one edge of the tray and graduated from an origin. 6 / - Method according to claims 1 and 5 taken together, characterized in that one generates the signals representative of the coordinates (X, Y) of the position of the aircraft or the ship, by performing the following logical calculation operations on the signals representing the conventional coordinates of the two tracking stations (X ₁ , Y ₁ ; X ₂ , Y ₂ ) and the measured bearings (R ₁ , R ₂ ):

7 / - Method according to claims 2 and 5 taken together, characterized in that one generates the signal representative of the heading angle (Rm), by performing the following logical calculation operations on the signals p _r ésentatifs conventional coordinates of the calculated position (X, Y) and the destination (x, _y):

8 / - Method according to claims 3 and 5 taken together, characterized in that one generates the signal representative of the distance (D) separating the aircraft or the ship from its place of destination, by performing the operations of logical calculations following on the signals representative of the conventional coordinates of the calculated position (X, Y) and the place of destination (x, y):

where K is a coefficient depending on the scale of the geographic map used, the calibration of the navigation platform and the desired distance unit. 9 / - Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the reading of the conventional coordinates of a point on the plate consists in sliding a movable cursor (6) carrying one of the graduated axes, parallel to an edge (5) of the plate carrying the other graduated axis, in order to cause said cursor to pass through the point concerned and to read one of the coordinates on the cursor (6) at the point concerned and the other on the edge (5) of the plate at the foot of said cursor. 101 - Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the identification of a point from its conventional coordinates consists in sliding a movable cursor (6) carrying one of the graduated axes, parallel to an edge (5) of the bearing plate the other graduated axis, in order to bring the foot of said cursor to the graduation corresponding to one of the conventional coordinates, and to locate the point along the cursor (6), opposite the graduation corresponding to the other conventional coordinate . 11 / - Method according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 for air navigation, in which an aeronautical map carrying the sta- _ti ons radioelectric "VOR" or "NDB" of the area covered with the corresponding frequencies is selected on the two card these radio-electric stations and measuring the recovery (R _1, R ₂₎ of said stations to the using "VOR" or "ADF" radio navigation instruments set to the frequency of these two stations. 12 / - Aids to navigation for the implementation of the method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: . a so-called navigation tray (2), provided with positioning means (3) of a geographic map (17, 18), . a system for calibrating said plate (5, 6) enabling each of its points to be identified by conventional coordinates in a reference system linked to said plate, . a data entry system (9) suitable for generating electrical signals representative of conventional coordinates or bearings, . calculation means (10, 11, 12, 15, 16) arranged to receive said electrical signals and adapted to deliver, by logic calculation operations, electrical signals representative of the conventional coordinates of a position (X, Y) and / or a heading angle (Rm) and / or a distance (D), . and display means (13, 14) for viewing the results from the calculation means. 13 / - Device according to claim 12, wherein the navigation platform (2) is of generally rectangular shape, characterized in that the calibration system is constituted by graduations inscribed along an edge (5) of the platform and by a movable cursor (6) extending perpendicularly to this edge and carrying graduations, said cursor (6) being associated with translation guide means (7) adapted to allow it to be moved parallel to the abovementioned edge (5). over the entire length of it. 14 / - Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the graduations inscribed along an edge (5) of the plate and along the cursor (6) have a identical scale and are adapted to allow t _e r represent each point two conventional contact details of up to four digits each. 15 / - Device according to one of claims 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the data entry system (9) comprises a keyboard provided with a plurality of keys, marked with identification signs of nature data to be entered (station 1: X ₁ Y ₁ R ₁ , station 2: X ₂ Y ₂ R ₂ destination: xy) and numerical indications for the composition of the various digits of each data. 16 / - Device according to one of claims 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein the calculation means comprise a microcomputer provided with a calculation unit (10), a read only memory (11) for storing a calculation program, a random access memory (12) for storing renewable data, and interfaces (11, 16) interposed between the calculation unit and the memories or the display means. 17 / - Device according to claim 16, in which the read-only memory (11) of the calculation means contains a program for the execution of the following calculations:

18 / - Device according to claim 17, in which the read-only memory (11) of the calculation means contains a program for the execution of the following calculation:

19 / - Device according to claim 17, in which the read-only memory (11) of the calculation means contains a program for the execution of the following calculation:

20 / - Device according to one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19, wherein the display means are composed of several segment displays (13) and indication means ( 14) of the type of information displayed (X, Y, Rm, D). 21 / - Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the navigation platform (2) is extended, on one side (4), by a thin box supporting the keyboard of the input system (9) and the means display (13, 14), the calculation means being housed in said housing. 22 / - Device according to one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized in that the positioning means of the geographic map. phique (17, 18) are constituted by a peripheral border (3) of the plate, located slightly projecting so as to delimit a housing for said card. 23 / - Device according to one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22, characterized in that it comprises a deck of cards (17, 18) covering a determined territory, each being cut out to have a shape adapted to that of the navigation platform (2) and carrying the tracking stations of the region it covers, with their characteristics. 24 / - Device according to claim 23 for air navigation, characterized in that each map (17) carries, on the one hand, the radio-navigation stations of the region which it covers with the indication, for each station , its frequency and its conventional coordinates in the reference system of the device, on the other hand, aerodromes with the indication of their conventional coordinates in this reference system. 25 / - Device according to claim 24, characterized in that each map (17) has a peripheral margin (17b) in which are noted the radio-navigation stations close to the region covered by the map, with their frequency and their coordinates conventional in the device reference system. 26 / - Device according to one of the resale cations 24 or 25, characterized in that it includes maps ( ₁₈ ) on a larger scale, covering the areas close to the aerodromes, each map (18) carrying the conventional coordinates of the aerodrome concerned and the recommended arrival path or approach to said aerodrome. 27 / - Device according to one of claims 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 26, comprising autonomous power supply means.

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